The latest edition of the Business Club podcast with Branko Azeski featured Dr. Nikica Mojsoska-Blazhevski, Chief Executive Officer of “Macedonia 2025,” Vice President of the Management Board of the Economic Chamber, an expert with more than 20 years of experience in creating economic policies and institutional reforms, as well as in business management — a person who knows both the public and the private sector extremely well. The discussion focuses on the state of the education system and the importance of the business community in educational processes.

She began her professional career at the Ministry of Finance, and after completing her doctoral studies at Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom, she assumed a managerial role in the Department for Macroeconomic and Development Policy and actively participated in negotiations with the IMF and the European Commission. In 2009 she transitioned into academia as a university professor and later as Dean of the American College University in Skopje. As part of her academic development, she also completed postdoctoral studies at Arizona State University in the United States.

Speaking about the differences between American College Skopje and other higher education institutions in the country, Dr. Mojsoska-Blazhevski highlights the strong partnership with the business community—their involvement in designing curricula, organizing practical training, and ensuring the acquisition of knowledge that is applicable in practice and in real life.

“At our university, the focus is on practice. The business community, through the Business Council, is directly involved in designing and introducing study programs, in organizing practical instruction, and in defining master’s and doctoral theses, thereby directing research toward real needs—this is the foundation of the Western model of education,” she emphasizes.

According to her, compared to the universities where she has studied, many Macedonian universities lack openness toward program development, suffer from insufficient involvement of the business community, have minimal connection with the economy, and are overly theoretical, with not enough practical content.

In the discussion, she points out that the prerequisites for quality education include increased investment in education, motivation for both teaching staff and students, as well as elevating the reputation and dignity of the teaching profession.

Throughout her professional career she has always been a supporter of the business sector. Her strong connection began during her time in public administration, working in macroeconomic and development policy, where she had intensive communication with the business community and the opportunity to understand the challenges it faces. Therefore, she believes more support is needed, along with the creation of a favorable business climate.

“Businesses are the ones who drive the economy, who pay taxes, and who provide benefits for all of us—health and pension insurance,” says Dr. Mojsoska-Blazhevski.

This engagement with the business community continued through her work as a professor and dean, by understanding and integrating necessary skills and competencies into study programs, through which skilled labor is created—equipped with academic knowledge but also with practical skills and competencies. She continues this mission today as the CEO of “Macedonia 2025,” introducing various programs and initiatives that support the development of Macedonian companies.

In the podcast, she also reveals some of her personal interests, including her passion for skiing—a sport in which she participated in two world championships. For her, skiing is not only a physical activity but also a true mental discipline.